Optical pickup apparatus

ABSTRACT

An optical pickup apparatus comprises a photo detector that receives light reflected from a medium; and a housing that is mounted with the photo detector. The photo detector is fixed to the housing with the use of an adhesive to mount the photo detector on the housing. The housing is provided with a displacement preventer that prevents displacement of the photo detector or the adhesive relative to the housing. The displacement preventer has fixing portions that extend along a plurality of directions. The photo detector is mounted on the housing by applying the adhesive to the displacement preventer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Applications No.2005-179041 filed on Jun. 20, 2005 and No. 2006-162175 filed on Jun. 12,2006, which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an optical pickup apparatus mounted on,for example, an optical disk apparatus and capable of readinginformation of a medium such as an optical disk.

2. Description of the Related Art

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one implementation of a conventionaloptical pickup apparatus.

A photodetector 510 is mounted on a housing 550. The housing means a boxthat can house a thing, such as a box-shaped object that housescomponents, or an object similar to a box.

The photodetector 510 is a photo detector 510 that receives a portion ofreflected light from an optical disk (not shown) to generate a lightreception current proportional to the light reception amount. The lightreception current is a detected signal. The photodetector 510 is adaptedto receive light, convert the light signal to an electric signal, andoutput a signal to make a servo mechanism (not shown) of a lens holder(not shown) of the optical pickup apparatus 501 operate. The servo orservo mechanism means a mechanism that measures a state of an object tobe controlled and compares the measurement with a reference value tocorrect the error automatically. The photodetector (Photo Detector) isabbreviated to “PD”. The photo detector 510 is connected to a flexiblecircuit body 505. The photo detector 510 is fixed to a plate 520.

Description will be made of a process where the photo detector 510 ismounted on the housing 550. First, a light path position adjustment isperformed for the photo detector 510. The X-axis of the photo detector510, the Y-axis of the photo detector 510, and the Z-axis of the photodetector 510 are adjusted relative to an optical path (not shown) formedin the housing 550. After the attachment position of the photo detector510 to the housing 550 is adjusted, a fixing adhesive (not shown) isapplied to between the plate 520 mounted with the photo detector 510 andthe housing 550 to form a bridge. Grooves 581 are made in fixingportions 580A, 580B of the housing 550 to allow the cured adhesive toexert an anchor effect for improving the adherence of the plate 520 withthe photo detector 510 to the housing 550.

The conventional optical pickup apparatus 501 shown in FIG. 4 is similarto a photo detector attachment apparatus of an optical head, whichalleviates instability factors in position accuracy of the photodetector, for example.

Such a conventional apparatus is disclosed in Japanese PatentApplication Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-251776 (page 3, FIGS. 1 and2), for example.

However, in the conventional optical pickup apparatus 501 shown in FIG.4, since the grooves 581 extend along only one direction, i.e., theX-direction, a displacement may occur at the fixing portions 580A, 580Bin the case of the optical pickup apparatus 501 being used under severeusage/environments where vibrations are frequently applied, for example.If a displacement occurs at the fixing portions 580A, 580B, light is notincident on the photo detector 510 accurately. As a result, there isconcern about the occurrence of the problem that the optical pickupapparatus 501 does not operate normally.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an opticalpickup apparatus that operates stably without generating displacement ofa photo detector under severe usage/environment.

The present invention to solve the above problem is mainly an opticalpickup apparatus and includes a photo detector that receives lightreflected from a medium and a housing that is mounted with the photodetector; the photo detector is fixed to the housing with the use of anadhesive to mount the photo detector on the housing; the housing isprovided with a displacement preventer that prevents displacement of thephoto detector or the adhesive relative to the housing; the displacementpreventer has fixing portions extending along a plurality of directions;and the photo detector is mounted on the housing by applying theadhesive to the displacement preventer.

With the above configuration, the photo detector is fixed steadily tothe housing with the adhesive and the displacement preventer. Since thehousing is disposed with the displacement preventer that prevents thedisplacement of the photo detector or the adhesive relative to thehousing and since the displacement preventer has the fixing portionsextending along a plurality of directions, for example, even whenintense vibrations are applied to the optical pickup apparatus, thisconfiguration prevents the occurrence of a problem that the photodetector is displaced relative to the housing and that the opticalpickup apparatus does not operate normally. The photo detector is fixedto the housing by the adhesive fixed firmly to the displacementpreventer of the housing. Therefore, the present invention can providethe optical pickup apparatus that operates stably without generatingdisplacement of the photo detector under severe usage/environment.

In the optical pickup apparatus according to the present invention, thedisplacement preventer includes a first fixing portion extending along afirst direction and a second fixing portion extending along a seconddirection different from the first direction.

With the above configuration, the photo detector is fixed steadily tothe housing by the adhesive and the first fixing portion and the secondfixing portion of the displacement preventer disposed in the housing.Since the first fixing portion extending along the first direction andthe second fixing portion extending along the second direction extend indifferent directions, even when complex vibrations are applied to theoptical pickup apparatus, the photo detector continues to be fixed viathe adhesive reliably by the first fixing portion and the second fixingportion. The first fixing portion extending along the first directionand the second fixing portion extending along the second direction actas a stopper that prevents the displacement of the photo detectorrelative to the housing.

In the optical pickup apparatus according to the present invention, thesecond fixing portion extending along the second direction is formedextending along the direction approximately orthogonal to the firstfixing portion extending along the first direction.

With the above configuration, the photo detector is fixed steadily tothe housing by the adhesive, the first fixing portion and the secondfixing portion of the displacement preventer disposed in the housing.Since the second fixing portion extending along the second direction isformed extending along the direction approximately orthogonal to thefirst fixing portion extending along the first direction, thedisplacement of the photo detector is prevented from occurring relativeto the housing of the optical pickup apparatus when complex vibrationsare applied to the optical pickup apparatus. For example, even when theoptical pickup apparatus resonates, the photo detector continues to befixed to the housing via the adhesive reliably by the first fixingportion of the displacement preventer disposed in the housing and thesecond fixing portion formed extending along the second directionapproximately orthogonal to the first direction along which the firstfixing portion extends.

In the optical pickup apparatus according to the present invention, thefirst direction is a light axis direction of the light applied to thephoto detector, and the second direction is a direction along anillumination plane to be illuminated when the light is applied to thephoto detector.

The above configuration certainly prevents the occurrence of the problemthat the photo detector is displaced relative to the housing of theoptical pickup apparatus because of the complex vibrations applied tothe optical pickup apparatus and that the optical pickup apparatus doesnot operate normally. Since the first fixing portion of the displacementpreventer disposed in the housing extends along the light axis directionof the light applied to the photo detector, the displacement of thephoto detector is prevented from occurring along the illumination planeof the photo detector when the optical pickup apparatus resonates. Whena force is about to be applied to the photo detector in a directionalong the illumination plane of the photo detector, the force in thedirection along the illuminated plane of the photo detector is blockedby the first fixing portion of the displacement preventer extended alongthe light axis direction of the photo detector. Since the second fixingportion of the displacement preventer disposed in the housing extendsalong the illumination plane to be illuminated when the light is appliedto the photo detector, the displacement of the photo detector isprevented from occurring along the light axis direction of the photodetector when the optical pickup apparatus resonates. When a force isabout to be applied to the photo detector in the light axis direction ofthe photo detector, the force along the light axis direction of thephoto detector is blocked by the second fixing portion of thedisplacement preventer extended along the illuminated plane of the photodetector. Therefore, this configuration reliably prevents the occurrenceof the problem that the photo detector is displaced relative to thehousing of the optical pickup apparatus because of the resonancegenerated in the optical pickup apparatus and that the optical pickupapparatus does not operate normally.

In the optical pickup apparatus according to the present invention, thedisplacement preventer further includes a separating portion thatseparates the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion.

The above configuration certainly prevents the displacement of the photodetector from occurring relative to the housing of the optical pickupapparatus. Since the separating portion is provided between the firstfixing portion and the second fixing portion of the displacementpreventer disposed in the housing to separate both the fixing portions,when the adhesive is used to mount the photo detector to the housing,the adhesive bridges the separating portion between the first fixingportion and the second fixing portion. In this way, the photo detectoris fixed steadily to the housing. Since the adhesive bridges theseparating portion separating the first fixing portion and the secondfixing portion, even when intense vibrations are applied to the opticalpickup apparatus in each direction, the displacement of the photodetector is prevented from occurring by the first fixing portion and thesecond fixing portion of the displacement preventer and the adhesivebridging the separating portion separating both the fixing portions.Therefore, the present invention can provide the optical pickupapparatus that operates stably.

In the optical pickup apparatus according to the present invention, thedisplacement preventer further includes a third fixing portion extendingalong a third direction different from the first direction and from thesecond direction.

With the above configuration, the photo detector is fixed more steadilyto the housing. Since the displacement preventer disposed in the housingof the optical pickup apparatus includes the first fixing portion, thesecond fixing portion, and the third fixing portion extending alongrespective directions, the photo detector continues to be fixed reliablyby the first fixing portion, the second fixing portion, the third fixingportion, and the adhesive even when intense vibrations are applied tothe optical pickup apparatus. Therefore, when the optical pickupapparatus is used under severe usage/environment, the photo detector isprevented from being displaced relative to the housing thereby causing amalfunction of the optical pickup apparatus.

In the optical pickup apparatus according to the present invention, thethird fixing portion extending along the third direction is formedextending along the direction approximately orthogonal to the firstfixing portion extending along the first direction and the second fixingportion extending along the second direction.

With the above configuration, the photo detector is fixed steadily tothe housing by the adhesive, and the first fixing portion, the secondfixing portion, and the third fixing portion of the displacementpreventer disposed in the housing. Since the third fixing portionextending along the third direction is formed extending along thedirection approximately orthogonal to the first fixing portion extendingalong the first direction and the second fixing portion extending alongthe second direction, the displacement of the photo detector is reliablyprevented from occurring relative to the housing of the optical pickupapparatus when complex vibrations are applied to the optical pickupapparatus. For example, even when the optical pickup apparatusresonates, the photo detector continues to be fixed to the housing viathe adhesive reliably by the first fixing portion, the second fixingportion formed extending along the second direction approximatelyorthogonal to the first direction, and the third fixing portion extendedalong the third direction approximately orthogonal to the firstdirection and the second direction of the displacement preventer of thehousing.

In the optical pickup apparatus according to the present invention, thethird direction is a direction along the illumination plane to beilluminated when the light is applied to the photo detector.

The above configuration prevents the occurrence of the problem that thephoto detector is displaced relative to the housing of the opticalpickup apparatus because of the complex vibrations applied to theoptical pickup apparatus and that the optical pickup apparatus does notoperate normally. Since the third fixing portion of the displacementpreventer disposed in the housing extends along the illumination planeto be illuminated when the light is applied to the photo detector, thedisplacement of the photo detector is prevented from occurring along thelight axis direction of the photo detector when the optical pickupapparatus resonates. When a force is about to be applied to the photodetector in the light axis direction of the photo detector, the forcealong the light axis direction of the photo detector is blocked by thethird fixing portion of the displacement preventer extended along theilluminated plane of the photo detector.

In the optical pickup apparatus according to the present invention, thedisplacement preventer further includes a separating portion thatseparates the first fixing portion and the third fixing portion.

The above configuration further prevents the displacement of the photodetector from occurring relative to the housing of the optical pickupapparatus. Since the separating portion is provided between the firstfixing portion and the third fixing portion of the displacementpreventer disposed in the housing to separate both the fixing portions,when the adhesive is used to mount the photo detector to the housing,the adhesive bridges the separating portion between the first fixingportion and the third fixing portion. In this way, the photo detector isfixed steadily to the housing. Since the adhesive bridges the separatingportion separating the first fixing portion and the third fixingportion, if intense vibrations are applied to the optical pickupapparatus in each direction, the displacement of the photo detector isfurther prevented from occurring by the first fixing portion and thethird fixing portion of the displacement preventer and the adhesivebridging the separating portion separating the both fixing portions.Therefore, the present invention can provide the optical pickupapparatus that operates stably.

In the optical pickup apparatus according to the present invention, thefixing portion includes at least one groove into which the adhesive canenter.

With the above configuration, the photo detector is fixed steadily tothe housing. Since the adhesive enters into the groove of the fixingportion disposed in the displacement preventer of the housing, the photodetector is fixed to the housing steadily. Since the anchor effect isexerted on the adhesive that has entered and cured in the groove, theadhesive is fixed in the groove steadily. The anchor effect means thatafter an adhesive infiltrates into voids in a surface of a to-be-bondedmember and cures, it acts as a nail or wedge. The anchor effect is alsoreferred to as an anchoring effect or a fastener effect. Since theanchor effect is exerted on the adhesive that has entered and cured inthe groove, the displacement of the adhesive is prevented from occurringeven when intense vibrations are applied to the housing of the opticalpickup apparatus. Therefore, the photo detector is fixed to the housingsteadily by the adhesive that has entered into the groove of the fixingportion of the displacement preventer of the housing.

In the optical pickup apparatus according to the present invention, thedisplacement preventer is disposed on a projecting portion projectingfrom the housing.

With the above configuration, the photo detector is fixed steadily tothe housing. When the photo detector is fixed to the housing, theadhesive is applied to the displacement preventer of the projectingportion projecting from the housing to fix the photo detector steadilyto the housing. Since the projecting portion projects from the housing,the application operation of the adhesive is performed more easily formounting the photo detector to the housing. Since the projecting portionincluding the displacement preventer projects from the housing to applythe adhesive to, the displacement of the photo detector is more easilyprevented from occurring relative to the housing.

In the optical pickup apparatus according to the present invention, thephoto detector is mounted on a fixing plate that allows the photodetector to be positioned easily with respect to the housing, and theadhesive is applied to the fixing plate and the displacement preventerof the housing.

With the above configuration, the photo detector is mounted accuratelyto the housing. If the photo detector has been mounted on the fixingplate when the photo detector is mounted to the housing with the use ofthe adhesive, the positioning of the photo detector can be performedeasily when attached to the housing. When the photo detector is mountedto the housing, for example, the attachment position of the fixing platewith the photo detector is adjusted relative to the housing while thelight path adjustment is performed, and after the attachment position ofthe fixing plate is set, the adhesive is applied to the displacementpreventer of the housing and the fixing plate, thus mounting the photodetector to the housing accurately.

In the optical pickup apparatus according to the present invention, theadhesive used is an ultraviolet curing adhesive that is cured whenirradiated by ultraviolet.

With the above configuration, the photo detector is mounted and fixed tothe housing quickly and accurately. The ultraviolet curing adhesive iscured simply by irradiating the applied adhesive with ultraviolet light.If the ultraviolet curing adhesive is used when the photo detector ismounted on the housing, the adhesive is quickly solidified. Therefore,the displacement of the photo detector is prevented from occurringrelative to the housing in the course of the curing of the adhesive, andthe photo detector is mounted on the housing accurately.

In the optical pickup apparatus according to the present invention, anepoxy adhesive is used as the adhesive.

With the above configuration, the photo detector is mounted and fixedaccurately to the housing. The epoxy adhesive has low contractility andexcellent heat resistance. Since the epoxy adhesive has lowcontractility, the photo detector is mounted highly accurately to thehousing. Since the epoxy adhesive has excellent heat resistance, forexample, when the housing of the optical pickup apparatus is at a hightemperature, the adhesive is prevented from changing in qualityconsiderably under the influence of heat. If the optical pickupapparatus is at a high temperature, the photo detector continues to bemounted accurately and reliably on the housing by the epoxy adhesive.

The optical pickup apparatus according to the present invention can bemounted on an optical disk apparatus of a portable computer.

The above configuration prevents the occurrence of the problem that theoptical pickup apparatus malfunctions in the optical disk apparatus ofthe portable computer and that the portable computer does not operatenormally. The portable computer includes a laptop computer and anotebook computer, for example. The portable computer such as a laptopcomputer or a notebook computer is increasingly being miniaturized,thinned, and lightened, and correspondingly, the optical pickupapparatus is also increasingly being miniaturized, thinned, andlightened. For example, when the portable computer is moved, if intensevibrations are applied to the computer, the present invention preventsthe occurrence of a problem that the photo detector is displacedrelative to the housing of the optical pickup apparatus and that theoptical pickup apparatus does not operate normally. The photo detectorcontinues to be fixed to the housing by the adhesive fixed firmly to thedisplacement preventer of the housing. Therefore, the present inventioncan provide the small and thin optical pickup apparatus that operatesstably under severe usage/environment where intense vibrations areapplied.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To understand the present invention and the advantages thereof morethoroughly, the following description should be referenced along withthe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one implementation of an optical pickupapparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged explanatory diagram of a displacement preventer ofthe optical pickup apparatus;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the same displacement preventer ofthe optical pickup apparatus; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an implementation of a conventionaloptical pickup apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

From the contents of the description and the accompanying drawings, atleast the following details will be apparent.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one implementation of an optical pickupapparatus according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is an enlargedexplanatory diagram of a displacement preventer of the optical pickupapparatus; and FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the same displacementpreventer of the optical pickup apparatus.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a direction along the X-X axis is the depthdirection of the optical pickup apparatus 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,a direction along the Y-Y axis is the height direction of the opticalpickup apparatus 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a direction along the Z-Zaxis is the width direction of the optical pickup apparatus 1. In FIG.2, a direction vertical to the page is the Z-Z axis direction of theoptical pickup apparatus 1. In FIG. 3, a direction vertical to the pageis the Y-Y axis direction of the optical pickup apparatus 1. Eachdirection X, Y, Z in this specification is defined for convenience todescribe the optical pickup apparatus 1.

A medium (not shown) such as an optical disk (not shown) is insertedinto an optical disk apparatus (not shown). The optical pickup apparatus1 mounted on the optical disk apparatus is used to reproduce data suchas information recorded on the optical disk. The optical disk apparatusis also used to record data such as information. Such optical disksinclude, for example, a read only optical disk such as “CD-ROM” or“DVD-ROM”, a recordable optical disk such as “CD-R”, “DVD-R”, or“DVD+R”, a writable/erasable or rewritable optical disk such as “CD-RW”,“DVD-RW”, “DVD+RW” (registered trademark), “DVD-RAM”, “HD DVD”(registered trademark), or “Blu-ray Disc” (registered trademark), etc.

The optical disks include, for example, an optical disk (not shown)provided with signal surfaces (not shown) on both sides and capable ofdata write/erase or data rewrite. The optical disks further include, forexample, an optical disk (not shown) provided with two layers of signalsurfaces (not shown) and capable of data write/erase or data rewrite.

“CD” is an abbreviation of “Compact Disc” (trademark) “DVD” (registeredtrademark) is an abbreviation of “Digital Versatile Disc” or “DigitalVideo Disc”. “ROM” of “CD-ROM” or “DVD-ROM” is an abbreviation of “ReadOnly Memory”, and CD-ROM or DVD-ROM is only for reading data. “R” of“CD-R”, “DVD-R”, or “DVD+R” is an abbreviation of “Recordable”, andCD-R, DVD-R, or DVD+R are data recordable. “RW” of “CD-RW”, “DVD-RW”, or“DVD+RW” is an abbreviation of “ReWritable”, and CD-RW, DVD-RW, orDVD+RW are data rewritable. “DVD-RAM” is an abbreviation of “DigitalVersatile Disc Random Access Memory” and is datareadable/writable/erasable.

“HD DVD” is an abbreviation of “High Definition DVD”. “HD DVD” iscompatible with a conventional DVD series and has a greater storagecapacity than the disks of the conventional DVD series do. Ared/near-infrared laser has been used for conventional CDs. A red laserhas been used for conventional DVDs. However, a blue-violet laser isused when reading data/information recorded on a “HD DVD” optical disk200. “Blu-ray” refers to a blue-violet laser that is employed to achievehigh-density recording instead of the conventional red laser used forreading/writing signals.

As shown in FIG. 1, a photo detector 10 is mounted on a die-cast housing50. The photo detector 10 receives a portion of reflected light from anoptical disk (not shown) to generate a light reception currentproportional to the light reception amount. The light reception currentis a detected signal. The photo detector 10 is adapted to receive laserlight, convert the light signal to an electric signal, and output asignal to make a servo mechanism (not shown) of a lens holder (notshown) of the optical pickup apparatus 1 operate. The photo detector isreferred to as PD or PDIC. “PDIC” is an abbreviation of “Photo DiodeIC”. The PDIC 10 is mounted on and fixed to an aluminum-made plate 20.The PDIC 10 is connected to a flexible substrate 5 such that it can besupplied with electricity.

The flexible substrate 5 is formed as a flexible printed circuit. Theflexible printed circuit is abbreviated to “FPC”. The FPC is formed byprinting a plurality of circuit conductors (not shown) on an insulatingsheet (not shown), disposing a metal, e.g. copper, foil (not shown) onthe insulating sheet, and disposing a transparent or semi-transparentprotection layer (not shown) thereon. For convenience, the FPC 5 isshown with the circuit conductors of the insulating sheet omitted.

The optical pickup apparatus 1 is configured with the above variouscomponents. Although the optical pickup apparatus 1 includes othercomponents (not shown) than the shown components, the other componentsare omitted for convenience in FIGS. 1 to 3.

As shown in FIG. 1, the optical pickup apparatus 1 is configured toinclude the PDIC 10 that receives laser light reflected by a medium (notshown) such as an optical disk (not shown), a plate 20 to be mountedwith the PDIC 10, and the housing 50 in which the plate 20 with the PDIC10 is mounted.

The plate 20 with the PDIC 10 is fixed to the housing 50 with the use ofadhesives 91, 92, 93 (FIGS. 2 and 3) that adhere the plate 20 with thePDIC 10 to the housing 50. The same type of adhesive is used for theadhesives 91, 92, 93. A pair of displacement preventers 80A, 80B(FIG. 1) is provided on the housing 50 for preventing displacement ofthe plate 20 with the PDIC 10 or the solidified adhesives 91, 92, 93.Each displacement preventer 80A, 80B has a plurality of fixing portions81, 82, 83 that extend along a plurality of directions X, Y, Z. Theadhesives 91, 92, 93 (FIGS. 2 and 3) are applied to each displacementpreventer 80A, 80B to mount the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 on the housing50.

If the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 is mounted on the housing 50 in thisway, the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 is fixed reliably to the housing 50with the adhesives 91, 92, 93 and the displacement preventers 80A, 80Bprovided on the housing 50.

The housing 50 is provided with a pair of the displacement preventers80A, 80B that prevents the displacement of the plate 20 with the PDIC 10or the solidified adhesives 91, 92, 93 relative to the housing 50 andeach displacement preventer 80A, 80B has a plurality of the fixingportions 81, 82, 83 extending along a plurality of directions X, Y, Z.Hence, for example, even when intense vibrations are applied to theoptical pickup apparatus 1, the problem is prevented from occurring thatthe plate 20 with the PDIC 10 is displaced relative to the housing 50and that the optical pickup apparatus 1 does not operate normally. Theplate 20 with the PDIC 10 is fixed to the housing 50 by each adhesive91, 92, 93 fixed firmly to the displacement preventers 80A, 80B of thehousing 50.

Therefore, users of the optical pickup apparatus 1, assemblingmanufacturers of the optical disk apparatus (not shown) with the opticalpickup apparatus 1, etc., can be provided with the optical pickupapparatus 1 that operates stably without generating displacement of theplate 20 with the PDIC 10 under severe usage/environment.

Each displacement preventer 80A, 80B (FIG. 1) includes each first fixingportion 81 a, 81 b, 81 c, 81 d, 81 e, 81 f, 81 g (FIG. 2) extendingalong a first direction X and each second fixing portion 82 a, 82 bextending along a second direction Y different from the first directionX.

If each displacement preventer 80A, 80B is formed in this way, the plate20 with the PDIC 10 is fixed reliably to the housing 50 by the eachadhesive 91, 92, 93 and by each first fixing portion 81 a, 81 b, 81 c,81 d, 81 e, 81 f, 81 g and each second fixing portion 82 a, 82 b of thedisplacement preventers 80A, 80B disposed on the housing 50.

Since each first fixing portion 81 a, 81 b, 81 c, 81 d, 81 e, 81 f, 81 gextending along the first direction X and each second fixing portion 82a, 82 b extending along the second direction Y extend in differentdirections, even when complex vibrations are applied to the opticalpickup apparatus 1, the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 continues to be fixedreliably via the adhesive 91, 92, 93 to each first fixing portion 81 a,81 b, 81 c, 81 d, 81 e, 81 f, 81 g and each second fixing portion 82 a,82 b. Each first fixing portion 81 a, 81 b, 81 c, 81 d, 81 e, 81 f, 81 gextending along the first direction X and each second fixing portion 82a, 82 b extending along the second direction Y act as stoppers thatprevent the displacement of the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 relative tothe housing 50.

The displacement preventers 80A, 80B disposed on a pair of projectingportions 70A, 70B are formed approximately symmetrical around a portionwhere the PDIC 10 is positioned.

Each second fixing portion 82 a, 82 b extending along the seconddirection Y is formed extending approximately orthogonal to each firstfixing portion 81 a, 81 b, 81 c, 81 d, 81 e, 81 f, 81 g extending alongthe first direction X.

By this means, the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 is fixed reliably to thehousing 50 by each adhesive 91, 92, 93 and by each first fixing portion81 a, 81 b, 81 c, 81 d, 81 e, 81 f, 81 g and each second fixing portion82 a, 82 b of the displacement preventers 80A, 80B disposed on thehousing 50. Since each second fixing portion 82 a, 82 b extending alongthe second direction Y is formed extending approximately orthogonal toeach first fixing portion 81 a, 81 b, 81 c, 81 d, 81 e, 81 f, 81 gextending along the first direction X, the displacement of the plate 20with the PDIC 10 is prevented from occurring relative to the housing 50of the optical pickup apparatus 1 when complex vibrations are applied tothe optical pickup apparatus 1.

For example, even when the optical pickup apparatus 1 resonates, theplate 20 with the PDIC 10 continues to be fixed reliably to the housing50 via each adhesive 91, 92, 93 by each first fixing portion 81 a, 81 b,81 c, 81 d, 81 e, 81 f, 81 g of the displacement preventers 80A, 80Bprovided on the housing 50 and by each second fixing portion 82 a, 82 bformed extending along the second direction Y approximately orthogonalto the first direction X in which each first fixing portion 81 a, 81 b,81 c, 81 d, 81 e, 81 f, 81 g extends.

The first direction X (FIG. 1) is a light axis direction of the laserlight applied to the PDIC 10. The second direction Y is a directionalong an illumination plane to be illuminated when the laser light isapplied to the PDIC 10.

This configuration reliably prevents the occurrence of the problem thatthe plate 20 with the PDIC 10 is displaced relative to the housing 50 ofthe optical pickup apparatus 1 because of complex vibrations applied tothe optical pickup apparatus and that the optical pickup apparatus 1does not operate normally.

Since each first fixing portion 81 a, 81 b, 81 c, 81 d, 81 e, 81 f, 81 gof the displacement preventers 80A, 80B provided on the housing 50extends along the light axis direction of the laser light applied to thePDIC 10, the displacement of the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 is preventedfrom occurring along the illumination plane of the PDIC 10 when theoptical pickup apparatus 1 resonates.

When a force is about to be applied to the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 ina direction along the illumination plane of the PDIC 10, the force inthe direction along the illuminated plane of the PDIC 10 is blocked byeach first fixing portion 81 a, 81 b, 81 c, 81 d, 81 e, 81 f, 81 g ofthe displacement preventers 80A, 80B extended along the light axisdirection of the PDIC 10.

Since each second fixing portion 82 a, 82 b of the displacementpreventers 80A, 80B provided on the housing 50 extends along theillumination plane to be illuminated when the laser light is applied tothe PDIC 10, the displacement of the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 isprevented from occurring along the light axis direction of the PDIC 10when the optical pickup apparatus 1 resonates.

When a force along the light axis direction of the PDIC 10 is about tobe applied to the plate 20 with the PDIC 10, the force along the lightaxis direction of the PDIC 10 is blocked by each second fixing portion82 a, 82 b of the displacement preventers 80A, 80B extended along theilluminated plane of the PDIC 10.

Therefore, this configuration reliably prevents the occurrence of theproblem that the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 is displaced relative to thehousing 50 of the optical pickup apparatus 1 because of the resonancegenerated in the optical pickup apparatus 1 and that the optical pickupapparatus 1 does not operate normally.

As shown in FIG. 2, the displacement preventer 80A (80B) furtherincludes first separating portions 85 a, 85 b, 85 c that separate thefirst fixing portion 81 a, 81 b, 81 c and the second fixing portion 82a, 82 b.

If the first separating portions 85 a, 85 b, 85 c are included in thedisplacement preventers 80A, 80B, the displacement of the plate 20 withthe PDIC 10 is reliably prevented from occurring relative to the housing50 of the optical pickup apparatus 1. Since the first separatingportions 85 a, 85 b, 85 c are provided in between the first fixingportion 81 a, 81 b, 81 c and the second fixing portion 82 a, 82 b of thedisplacement preventer 80A, 80B provided on the housing 50 to separateboth the fixing portions 81 a, 81 b, 81 c and 82 a, 82 b, when theadhesive 91 is used to mount the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 on thehousing 50, the adhesive 91 bridges the first separating portions 85 a,85 b, 85 c between the first fixing portion 81 a, 81 b, 81 c and thesecond fixing portion 82 a, 82 b.

By this means, the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 is fixed reliably to thehousing 50. Since the adhesive 91 bridges the first separating portions85 a, 85 b, 85 c separating the first fixing portion 81 a, 81 b, 81 cand the second fixing portion 82 a, 82 b, even when intense vibrationsare applied to the optical pickup apparatus 1 in each direction, thedisplacement of the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 is prevented fromoccurring by the first fixing portion 81 a, 81 b, 81 c and the secondfixing portion 82 a, 82 b of the displacement preventer 80A, 80B and bythe adhesive 91 bridging the first separating portions 85 a, 85 b, 85 cthat separate both the fixing portions 81 a, 81 b, 81 c and 82 a, 82 b.Therefore, the users of the optical pickup apparatus 1, the assemblingmanufacturers of the optical disk apparatus (not shown) with the opticalpickup apparatus 1, etc., can be provided with the optical pickupapparatus 1 that operates stably.

The displacement preventer 80A, 80B provided on the housing 50 furtherincludes third fixing portions 83 a, 83 b extended along a thirddirection Z different from the first direction X and different from thesecond direction Y as well.

Since the third fixing portions 83 a, 83 b are included in thedisplacement preventer 80A, 80B, the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 is fixedmore reliably to the housing 50. Since each displacement preventer 80A,80B provided on the housing 50 of the optical pickup apparatus 1includes the first fixing portions 81 a, 81 b, 81 c, 81 d, 81 e, 81 f,81 g, the second fixing portions 82 a, 82 b, and the third fixingportions 83 a, 83 b extended along respective directions, the plate 20with the PDIC 10 continues to be fixed reliably by each first fixingportion 81 a, 81 b, 81 c, 81 d, 81 e, 81 f, 81 g, each second fixingportion 82 a, 82 b, each third fixing portion 83 a, 83 b, and eachadhesive 91, 92, 93 even when intense vibrations are applied to theoptical pickup apparatus 1. Therefore, when the optical pickup apparatus1 is used under severe usage/environment, the plate 20 with the PDIC 10is prevented from being displaced relative to the housing 50 therebycausing a malfunction of the optical pickup apparatus 1.

Each third fixing portion 83 a, 83 b extending along the third directionZ extends approximately orthogonal to each first fixing portion 81 a, 81b, 81 c, 81 d, 81 e, 81 f, 81 g extending along the first direction Xand to each second fixing portion 82 a, 82 b extending along the seconddirection Y and is formed extending in a curved shape at a respectivecorner 75 a, 75 b of each projecting portion 70A, 70B projecting fromthe housing 50.

The plate 20 with the PDIC 10 is fixed reliably to the housing 50 byeach solidified adhesive 91, 92, 93, and by each first fixing portion 81a, 81 b, 81 c, 81 d, 81 e, 81 f, 81 g, each second fixing portion 82 a,82 b, and each third fixing portion 83 a, 83 b of the displacementpreventer 80A, 80B provided on the housing 50.

Since each third fixing portion 83 a, 83 b extending along the thirddirection Z extends approximately orthogonal to each first fixingportion 81 a, 81 b, 81 c, 81 d, 81 e, 81 f, 81 g extending along thefirst direction X and each second fixing portion 82 a, 82 b extendingalong the second direction Y and is formed extending in a curved shape,the displacement of the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 is reliably preventedfrom occurring relative to the housing 50 of the optical pickupapparatus 1 when complex vibrations are applied to the optical pickupapparatus 1.

For example, even when the optical pickup apparatus 1 resonates, theplate 20 with the PDIC 10 continues to be fixed reliably to the housing50 via each adhesive 91, 92, 93 by each first fixing portion 81 a, 81 b,81 c, 81 d, 81 e, 81 f, 81 g, each second fixing portion 82 a, 82 bformed extending along the second direction Y approximately orthogonalto the first direction X, and by each third fixing portion 83 a, 83 bextending along the third direction Z approximately orthogonal to thefirst direction X and the second direction Y, of the displacementpreventer 80A, 80B provided on the housing 50.

The third direction Z is a direction along the illumination plane to beilluminated when the laser light is applied to the PDIC 10.

This means prevents the occurrence of the problem that the plate 20 withthe PDIC 10 is displaced relative to the housing 50 of the opticalpickup apparatus 1 when complex vibrations are applied to the opticalpickup apparatus 1 and that the optical pickup apparatus 1 does notoperate normally. Since each third fixing portion 83 a, 83 b of thedisplacement preventer 80A, 80B provided on the housing 50 extends alongthe illumination plane to be illuminated when the laser light is appliedto the PDIC 10, the displacement of the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 isprevented from occurring along the light axis direction of the PDIC 10when the optical pickup apparatus 1 resonates. When a force is about tobe applied to the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 along the light axisdirection of the PDIC 10, the force along the light axis direction ofthe PDIC 10 is blocked by each third fixing portion 83 a, 83 b of thedisplacement preventer 80A, 80B extended along the illumination plane ofthe PDIC 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, the displacement preventer 80A (80B) disposed in thehousing 50 further includes second separating portions 85 d, 85 e, 85 f,85 g that separate the first fixing portion 81 e, 81 f, 81 g and thethird fixing portion 83 a, 83 b. Describing in detail with reference toFIG. 3, the displacement preventer 80A (80B) disposed in the housing 50further includes the second separating portions 85 d, 85 e that separatethe first fixing portion 81 d, 81 e and the third fixing portion 83 a.

Since the second separating portions 85 d, 85 e, 85 f, 85 g are providedin the displacement preventer 80A, 80B disposed in the housing 50 of theoptical pickup apparatus 1, the displacement of the plate 20 with thePDIC 10 is further prevented from occurring relative to the housing 50of the optical pickup apparatus 1. Since the second separating portions85 d, 85 e, 85 f, 85 g are provided between the first fixing portion 81d, 81 e, 81 f, 81 g and the third fixing portion 83 a, 83 b of thedisplacement preventer 80A, 80B disposed in the housing 50 to separateboth the fixing portions 81 d, 81 e, 81 f, 81 g and 83 a, 83 b, when theadhesives 92, 93 are used to mount the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 on thehousing 50, the adhesives 92, 93 bridge the second separating portions85 d, 85 e, 85 f, 85 g between the first fixing portion 81 d, 81 e, 81f, 81 g and the third fixing portion 83 a, 83 b. By this means, theplate 20 with the PDIC 10 is fixed reliably to the housing 50.

Since the adhesives 92, 93 bridge the second separating portions 85 d,85 e, 85 f, 85 g separating the first fixing portion 81 d, 81 e, 81 f,81 g and the third fixing portion 83 a, 83 b, even when intensevibrations are applied to the optical pickup apparatus 1 in eachdirection, the displacement of the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 isprevented from occurring by the first fixing portion 81 d, 81 e, 81 f,81 g and the third fixing portion 83 a, 83 b of the displacementpreventer 80A, 80B and by the adhesives 92, 93 bridging the secondseparating portions 85 d, 85 e, 85 f, 85 g separating both the fixingportions 81 d, 81 e, 81 f, 81 g and 83 a, 83 b. Therefore, the users ofthe optical pickup apparatus 1, the assembling manufacturers of theoptical disk apparatus (not shown) with the optical pickup apparatus 1,etc., can be provided with the optical pickup apparatus 1 that operatesstably.

The fixing portions 81, 82, 83 disposed in the displacement preventers80A, 80B of the housing 50 (FIG. 1) include grooves 81, 82, 83 (FIG. 1)with a cross section in an approximately rectangular shape, into whichthe adhesives 91, 92, 93 (FIGS. 2 and 3) can enter. Describing in detailwith reference to FIG. 2, the fixing portions 81 a, 81 b, 81 c, 81 d, 81e, 81 f, 81 g, 82 a, 82 b, 83 a, 83 b include the grooves 81 a, 81 b, 81c, 81 d, 81 e, 81 f, 81 g, 82 a, 82 b, 83 a, 83 b into which theadhesives 91, 92, 93 can enter.

The first separating portions 85 a, 85 b, 85 c separating the firstgrooves 81 a, 81 b, 81 c and the second grooves 82 a, 82 b are formed asfirst dividing walls 85 a, 85 b, 85 c. The second separating portions 85d, 85 e, 85 f, 85 g separating the first grooves 81 d, 81 e, 81 f, 81 gand the third grooves 83 a, 83 b are formed as second dividing walls 85d, 85 e, 85 f, 85 g.

Since the displacement preventers 80A, 80B of the housing 50 are formeduneven in this way, the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 is fixed reliably tothe housing 50. By the adhesives 91, 92, 93 entering into the grooves 81a, 81 b, 81 c, 81 d, 81 e, 81 f, 81 g, 82 a, 82 b, 83 a, 83 b of thefixing portions 81 a, 81 b, 81 c, 81 d, 81 e, 81 f, 81 g, 82 a, 82 b, 83a, 83 b disposed in the displacement preventers 80A, 80B of the housing50, the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 is fixed to the housing 50 reliably.

Since an anchor effect is exerted on the adhesives 91, 92, 93 that haveentered and cured in the grooves 81 a, 81 b, 81 c, 81 d, 81 e, 81 f, 81g, 82 a, 82 b, 83 a, 83 b, the adhesives 91, 92, 93 are fixed in thegrooves 81 a, 81 b, 81 c, 81 d, 81 e, 81 f, 81 g, 82 a, 82 b, 83 a, 83 breliably. The anchor effect means that after the adhesive infiltratesinto voids in the surface of a to-be-bonded member and cures, it acts asa nail or wedge. The anchor effect is also referred to as an anchoringeffect or fastener effect.

Since the anchor effect is exerted on the adhesives 91, 92, 93 that haveentered and solidified in the grooves 81 a, 81 b, 81 c, 81 d, 81 e, 81f, 81 g, 82 a, 82 b, 83 a, 83 b, the displacement of the solidifiedadhesives 91, 92, 93 is prevented from occurring even when intensevibrations are applied to the housing 50 of the optical pickup apparatus1.

Therefore, the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 is fixed to the housing 50reliably by the adhesives 91, 92, 93 that have entered into the grooves81 a, 81 b, 81 c, 81 d, 81 e, 81 f, 81 g, 82 a, 82 b, 83 a, 83 b of thefixing portions 81 a, 81 b, 81 c, 81 d, 81 e, 81 f, 81 g, 82 a, 82 b, 83a, 83 b, of the displacement preventers 80A, 80B of the housing 50.

The displacement preventers 80A, 80B are provided on a pair of theprojecting portions 70A, 70B opposite to each other and projecting fromthe housing 50. The pair of the projecting portions 70A, 70B opposite toeach other and projecting from the housing 50 is formed approximatelysymmetrical around a portion where the PDIC 10 is positioned.

By this means, the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 is fixed reliably to thehousing 50. When the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 is fixed to the housing50, the adhesives 91, 92, 93 are applied to the displacement preventers80A, 80B of the projecting portions 70A, 70B projecting from the housing50, thereby reliably fixing the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 to the housing50.

By making the projecting portions 70A, 70B project from the housing 50,the application of the adhesives 91, 92, 93 becomes easy to perform formounting the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 to the housing 50. Since theprojecting portions 70A, 70B, which include the displacement preventers80A, 80B to apply the adhesives 91, 92, 93 to, project from the housing50, the displacement of the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 is easilyprevented from occurring relative to the housing 50.

The PDIC 10 is mounted on the plate 20 that allows the PDIC 10 to bepositioned easily with respect to the housing 50. The adhesives 91, 92,93 are applied to the plate 20 mounted with the PDIC 10 and thedisplacement preventers 80A, 80B of the housing 50.

By this means, the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 is mounted accurately tothe housing 50. If the PDIC 10 has been mounted on the plate 20 when theplate 20 with the PDIC 10 is mounted on the housing 50 with the use ofthe adhesives 91, 92, 93, the PDIC 10 can be easily positioned withrespect to the housing 50 when attached thereto.

When the PDIC 10 is mounted on the housing 50, for example, theattachment position of the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 is adjustedrelative to the housing while the light path adjustment is performed,and after the attachment position of the plate 20 is set, the adhesives91, 92, 93 are applied to the displacement preventers 80A, 80B of thehousing 50 and the plate 20, thus mounting the plate 20 with the PDIC 10to the housing 50 accurately.

The adhesives 91, 92, 93 used are ultraviolet curing adhesives 91, 92,93 that are cured when irradiated by ultraviolet.

In this way, the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 is mounted and fixed to thehousing 50 quickly and accurately. The ultraviolet curing adhesives 91,92, 93 are cured simply by irradiating the applied adhesives 91, 92, 93with ultraviolet light. If the ultraviolet curing adhesives 91, 92, 93are used when the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 is mounted on the housing50, the adhesives 91, 92, 93 are quickly solidified. Therefore, thedisplacement of the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 is prevented fromoccurring relative to the housing 50 in the course of the curing of theadhesives 91, 92, 93, and the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 is mounted onthe housing 50 accurately.

Epoxy adhesives 91, 92, 93 are used as the adhesives 91, 92, 93.

Therefore, the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 is mounted and fixed accuratelyto the housing 50. The epoxy adhesive 91, 92, 93 has low contractilityand excellent heat resistance. Since the epoxy adhesive 91, 92, 93 haslow contractility, the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 is mounted highlyaccurately to the housing 50.

Since the epoxy adhesive 91, 92, 93 has excellent heat resistance, forexample, when the housing 50 of the optical pickup apparatus 1 is at ahigh temperature, the adhesive 91, 92, 93 is prevented from changing inquality considerably under the influence of heat. If the optical pickupapparatus 1 is at a high temperature, the plate 20 with the PDIC 10continues to be mounted accurately and reliably on the housing 50 withthe epoxy adhesives 91, 92, 93. After curing, the epoxy adhesive 91, 92,93 becomes relatively firm.

The ultraviolet curing adhesive is one of light curing adhesives andincludes adhesives with the trade name of “OPTOCAST” series availablefrom EMI of the United States, for example. Specific ultraviolet curingadhesives include OPTOCAST 3400, OPTOCAST 3415, etc., available from EMIof the United States. The ultraviolet curing adhesives such as OPTOCAST3400 and OPTOCAST 3415 are the epoxy type and are a one-componentultraviolet curing adhesive. The epoxy ultraviolet curing adhesives havelow contractility and high heat resistance and have excellent chemicalresistance and moisture resistance. Since the one-component ultravioletcuring adhesive is used, the liquid mixing operation is not needed whichis performed when a two-component ultraviolet curing adhesive is used.Therefore, the application of the adhesive is performed quickly andefficiently.

The ultraviolet curing adhesive, i.e., one of light curing adhesivesincludes optical UV adhesives NOA 60, NOA 83H, etc., available fromNORLAND of the United States, for example. The ultraviolet curingadhesives such as the optical UV adhesives NOA 60, NOA 83H, etc., are ofan acrylic type and are a one-component ultraviolet curing adhesive. Theacrylic ultraviolet curing adhesives have short curing time and can becured in several seconds. “UV” means “ultraviolet”. “Ultravioletradiation” means “ultraviolet”. The ultraviolet curing adhesives arereferred to as UV curing adhesives, etc. According to some designspecifications of the optical pickup apparatus, for example, thetwo-component ultraviolet curing adhesives can be used to perform thebonding step. The two-component ultraviolet curing adhesives include atwo-component epoxy ultraviolet curing adhesive, for example.

Description will be made of a step of mounting the PDIC 10 to thehousing 50. First, the light path position adjustment is performed forthe PDIC 10. The X-axis of the PDIC 10, the Y-axis of the PDIC 10, andthe Z-axis of the PDIC 10 are adjusted relative to a light path (notshown) formed in the housing 50. After the attachment position of thePDIC 10 is adjusted relative to the housing 50, the epoxy ultravioletcuring adhesives 91, 92, 93 for fixing are applied so as to bridgebetween the plate 20 mounted with the PDIC 10 and the displacementpreventers 80A, 80B of the housing 50. The epoxy ultraviolet curingadhesives 91, 92, 93 are irradiated by ultraviolet to cure the epoxyultraviolet curing adhesives 91, 92, 93. In this way, the plate 20 withthe PDIC 10 is fixed to the housing 50.

The optical pickup apparatus 1 is a small and thin apparatus that can bemounted on an optical disk apparatus (not shown) of a portable computer.

If the optical disk apparatus is mounted with the small and thin opticalpickup apparatus 1 that operates steadily, this configuration preventsthe occurrence of the problem that the optical pickup apparatus 1malfunctions in the optical disk apparatus for the portable computer andthat the portable computer does not operate normally. The portablecomputer includes a laptop computer (not shown) and a notebook computer(not shown), for example.

Computers will be described. A personal computer is abbreviated by “PC”.PASO-CON is also used as an abbreviation of a personal computer.

A desktop computer is a computer that can be used on a desk. However,the desktop computer is a computer that is not of the portable type.

As compared to the desktop PC, since the laptop PC and the notebook PCare required to be light and thin, the laptop PC and the notebook PCinclude an optical disk apparatus that is a slim type drive. The laptopPC and the notebook PC have configurations different from that of thedesktop PC. The laptop PC or the notebook PC has an integralconfiguration of a display (not shown) and a PC main body (not shown).The display is folded toward the PC main body and the laptop PC or thenotebook PC becomes a thin size one. When folded and viewed from above,the notebook PC is a general-purpose PC of an approximate A-4 size orsmaller. Therefore, the notebook PC is also referred to as a book PC. Assuch, the notebook PC or the laptop PC is compact and is the portabletype.

The computer in a portable form such as the laptop computer or notebookcomputer is increasingly being miniaturized, thinned, and lightened, andcorrespondingly, the optical pickup apparatus 1 is also increasinglybeing miniaturized, thinned, and lightened.

For example, when the portable computer is moved, if intense vibrationsare applied to the computer, the present invention prevents theoccurrence of the problem that the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 isdisplaced relative to the housing 50 of the optical pickup apparatus 1and that the optical pickup apparatus 1 does not operate normally. Theplate 20 with the PDIC 10 continues to be fixed on the housing 50 by theadhesives 91, 92, 93 fixed firmly to the displacement preventers 80A,80B of the housing 50.

Therefore, the users of the optical pickup apparatus 1, the assemblingmanufacturers of the optical disk apparatus with the optical pickupapparatus 1, etc., can be provided with the small and thin opticalpickup apparatus 1 that operates stably without generating thedisplacement of the plate 20 with the PDIC 10 under severeusage/environment where intense vibrations are applied.

The optical pickup apparatus 1 can be mounted on an optical diskapparatus used only for reading data from “CD-ROM”, “DVD-ROM”, etc., forexample. A tilt adjustment circuit for optical disk apparatuses can bemounted on the optical disk apparatus for the read only optical disksuch as “CD-ROM” or “DVD-ROM”, the recordable optical disk such as“CD-R”, “DVD-R”, or “DVD+R”, the writable/erasable or rewritable opticaldisk such as “CD-RW”, “DVD-RW”, “DVD+RW”, “DVD-RAM”, “HD DVD”, or “Bluray Disc”, etc.

The optical disk apparatus including the optical pickup apparatus 1 canbe mounted on, for example, computers such as notebook PCs, laptop PCs,and desktop PCs, audio equipments such as CD players, audio/videoequipments such as DVD players, etc. The optical disk apparatus can dealwith a plurality of media such as CD-type disks and DVD-type disks. Thepresent invention is not limited to those shown in the figures. Theabove description is for the purpose of facilitating the understandingof the present invention and is not intended to limit the presentinvention. The present invention may be changed and altered withoutdeparting from the spirit thereof.

1. An optical pickup apparatus comprising: a photo detector configured to receive laser light reflected from a medium; a fixing plate mounted with the photo detector; a housing mounted with the fixing plate mounted with the photo detector; one or more projecting portions projecting from the housing, the projecting portions preventing displacement of the fixing plate relative to the housing, and each including one or more first grooves formed to primarily extend along a first direction that is aligned with a light axis direction of the laser light, one or more second grooves formed to primarily extend along a second direction that is aligned approximately orthogonal to the first direction, and a first separating portion separating the first grooves from the second grooves; and an adhesive adhering the fixing plate to the projecting portion, the adhesive being solidified in the first grooves and the second grooves.
 2. The optical pickup apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adhesive comprises an ultraviolet curing adhesive that is cured when irradiated by ultraviolet light.
 3. The optical pickup apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adhesive comprises an epoxy adhesive.
 4. The optical pickup apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical pickup apparatus is mounted on an optical disk apparatus of a portable computer.
 5. The optical pickup apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more first grooves comprise a plurality of first grooves.
 6. The optical pickup apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more second grooves comprise a plurality of second grooves.
 7. The optical pickup apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the projecting portion includes: one or more third grooves formed to primarily extend along a third direction approximately orthogonal to the first direction and to the second direction, and a second separating portion separating the first grooves from the third grooves, and the adhesive is solidified in the third grooves.
 8. The optical pickup apparatus of claim 7, wherein the one or more third grooves comprise a plurality of third grooves.
 9. The optical pickup apparatus of claim 7, wherein the third grooves are curved.
 10. The optical pickup apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more projecting portions includes a pair of projecting portions each disposed on opposite sides of the fixing plate, and each aligned along the second direction. 